CARBONDALE, Ill. -
It's just about that time of the year again, as the start of the 2011 football season is just one month away for the Southern Illinois Salukis.

The team reports for fall camp on Saturday, Aug. 6 and holds its first practice the next day.

SIU's annual media day is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 4 at 12 p.m.

The Salukis return 14 starters, six on each side of the ball and two on special teams, and welcome back 41 returning lettermen.

After a 5-6 season in 2010 that saw its seven-year playoff streak come to an end, SIU is looking to bounce back and carry on the winning tradition that has been established here in Carbondale.

The Salukis have won 75 games since the 2003 season, which is the third-most among all Football Championship Subdivision schools. Only Montana (87) and Appalachian State (84) have won more games than SIU has over the last eight seasons.

Anchoring Southern Illinois this fall is the offensive line that returns all five starters. Seniors Bryan Boemer and David Pickard, who were both All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selections in each of the past two seasons, lead the group in the trenches.

In addition to the men up front, senior tight end C.J. Robertson and fullbacks John Goode and Ray Agnew will help open up holes for the running backs, where SIU is stacked with talent.

Defensively, senior safety Mike McElroy and senior defensive end Chance Coda headline the group that led the MVFC in total defense a year ago.

McElroy missed most all of 2010 with a severe ankle injury, but his return and most importantly leadership will make the defense that much better.

Coda, who has started every single game over the past three seasons, is coming off his junior campaign where he received second team All-MVFC accolades.